Depression is a significant problem impacting our nation’s children and teens, but you can help. Learn about risk factors and protective factors associated with youth depression here. 

<h2>Resources for School Psychologists: Youth Depression Protective
	Factors and Risk Factors</h2>
<p>
  <strong>Youth depression</strong> is a <strong>massive problem</strong> across
  the nation. Fortunately,
  <strong
    >school psychologists and other educational professionals can help.</strong
  >
</p>
<p>
  <strong>How big is the problem? </strong>According to
  <a
    href="https://mhanational.org/issues/2023/mental-health-america-youth-data#:~:text=Youth%20with%20Severe%20Major%20Depressive%20Episode%202023&amp;text=11.5%25%20of%20youth%20(or%20over,%25%20(about%20123%2C000%20youth)."
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >MHANational.org</a
  >, in 2023:
</p>
<ul>
	<li>
	  <strong>Over 16%</strong> of American youth reported having at least
	  <strong>one major depressive event</strong> in the last year.
	</li>
	<li>
	  <strong>Nearly 60% </strong>of youth with severe depression
	  <strong>received no medical treatment</strong>.
	</li>
	<li>
	  <strong>Only 28%</strong> of youth with major depression received
	  <strong>some consistent treatment</strong> (7-25 visits/year.
	</li>
</ul>
<p>
  It’s clear from these numbers that youth depression is widespread, and kids
  aren’t getting the help they need. School psychologists are uniquely
  positioned in young peoples’ lives, giving them a critical opportunity to help
  students cope with depression.
</p>

<p><strong>But how?</strong></p>

<p>
  One approach school psychologists can take to help address youth depression is
  to become educated about the risk factors and protective factors for
  depression. School psychologists can then educate others, including teachers,
  educational support professionals, administrators, families and even students
  themselves. The entire school and surrounding community can work together and
  take action to reduce risk factors and promote protective factors for
  individual kids and the community.
</p>
<h2>So, what are risk factors and protective factors
	anyhow?</h2>
<p>
  Since <strong>“risk factors” </strong>and<strong>
    “protective factors”</strong
  >
  are commonly used in psychology and public health, school psychologists are
  likely familiar with these terms. Here’s a refresher in case you want to
  explain these concepts to others when educating your school community about
  factors related to depression:
</p>

<h3>Risk Factors</h3>

<p>
  <strong
    >Risk factors are conditions, characteristics, or influences that increase
    the likelihood or probability of developing a particular condition, problem,
    or negative outcome.</strong
  >
  These factors can contribute to the occurrence, progression, or exacerbation
  of a specific issue, such as a disease or disorder. They don’t guarantee the
  development of a problem (like depression) but instead, increase
  vulnerability. Awareness of risk factors can help school psychologists and
  other adults in the school setting keep an eye out for certain kids at
  increased risk. If a child or teen does have an issue, understanding risk
  factors can help with early detection and intervention, as well as compassion
  and understanding. When possible, addressing risk factors and focusing on
  reducing risk can help promote overall wellness among individuals and
  communities.
</p>

<h3>Protective Factors</h3>

<p>
  <strong
    >On the other hand, protective factors are conditions, characteristics, or
    influences that promote positive mental health outcomes and reduce the risk
    of developing a particular condition or problem. </strong
  >These factors act as buffers or safeguards that enhance a student’s
  resilience, coping abilities, and overall well-being, helping them thrive
  despite challenging circumstances. Protective factors can exist at various
  levels, including individual, familial, social, and community levels. They can
  interact and reinforce each other, creating a supportive network of influences
  contributing to positive outcomes. Protective factors don’t guarantee immunity
  from issues like depression, primarily when risk factors also exist.
  Addressing protective factors can help strengthen individuals and communities
  and improve mental health and well-being.
</p>

<h2>What are some common risk factors for depression among
    youth?</h2>

<p>
  Common risk factors for depression among children and teens include (<a
    href="https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/risk-and-protective-factors-youth"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >youth.gov</a
  >):
</p>
<ul>
<li>Antisocial behavior</li>
<li>Anxiety</li>
<li>Childhood exposure to lead or mercury (neurotoxins)</li>
<li>Community-level stressful or traumatic events</li>
<li>Community violence</li>
<li>Conduct disorder</li>
<li>
  Difficult temperament: inflexibility, low positive mood, withdrawal,
  poor concentration
</li>
<li>Early substance use</li>
<li>Emotional problems in childhood</li>
<li>Extreme need for approval and social support</li>
<li>Favorable attitudes toward drugs</li>
<li>Head injury</li>
<li>Insecure attachment</li>
<li>
  Low self-esteem, perceived incompetence, negative explanatory and
  inferential style
</li>
<li>Low-level depressive symptoms and dysthymia</li>
<li>Low self-esteem</li>
<li>Peer rejection</li>
<li>Poor academic achievement</li>
<li>Poor social skills: communication and problem-solving skills</li>
<li>Poverty</li>
<li>Rebelliousness</li>
<li>School-level stressful or traumatic events</li>
<li>School violence</li>
<li>Shyness</li>
<li>Traumatic event</li>
</ul>

<h2>What are some common protective factors associated with youth
	depression?</h2>
<p>
  Common factors that help protect children and teens from having depression
  include (<a
    href="https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/risk-and-protective-factors-youth"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >youth.gov</a
  >):
</p>
<ul>
<li>Academic achievement/intellectual development</li>
<li>Clear expectations for behavior and values</li>
<li>Emotional self-regulation</li>
<li>
  Engagement and connections in two or more of the following contexts:
  school, with peers, in athletics, employment, religion, culture
</li>
<li>
  Family provides structure, limits, rules, monitoring, and
  predictability
</li>
<li>Good coping skills and problem-solving skills</li>
<li>High self-esteem</li>
<li>Opportunities for engagement within school and community</li>
<li>Positive norms</li>
<li>Positive physical development</li>
<li>
  Presence of mentors and support for the development of skills and
  interests
</li>
<li>Physical and psychological safety</li>
<li>Supportive relationships with family members</li>
</ul>

<h2>How can the school and community help reduce risk factors and
    promote protective factors associated with youth
	depression?</h2>
<p>
  Here are some ideas for how you, your school, and the community can help stave
  off depression among students:
</p>

<ol style="padding-left: 1rem;">
<li>Ensure kids with anxiety, behavior problems, conduct
  disorders, etc. get the interventions and services they need.
</li>
<li>Promote anti-drug programs at your school.</li>
<li>Get students struggling with shyness or social
  challenges involved in peer-support programs.
</li>
<li>Educate kids about bullying and implement an
  anti-bullying campaign.
</li>
<li>Ensure students feel safe and protected from threats
  like school shootings and intruders.
</li>
<li>Give kids who have undergone traumatic events, like
  familial abuse, natural disasters, loss of a classmate or teacher, etc., the
  appropriate help and support.
</li>
<li>Talk with students, families, teachers and
  administrators about the importance of extracurricular activities like clubs,
  sports, dance, etc.
</li>
<li>Teach coping, emotional self-regulation and
  problem-solving skills.
</li>
<li>Get students who are having academic challenges
  appropriate interventions.
</li>
<li>Lead activities and programs that support family and community
  support and involvement, like school plays, academic bowls, debates, improv
  shows, musical concerts, sports events, etc.
</li>
</ol>

<p>
  Becoming familiar with risks and protective factors and teaching others in the
  school community about them can help stave off depression among students. If
  you want to learn more about these topics, turn to
  <a
    href="https://www.americanmentalwellness.org/prevention/risk-and-protective-factors/"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >americanmentalwellness.org</a
  >,
  <a
    href="https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/factors/index.html"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >cdc.gov</a
  >, and
  <a
    href="https://emotionallyhealthyschools.org/risk-factors/risk-and-protective-factors/"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >emotionallyhealthyschools.org</a
  >.
</p>
<p>
  While you’re here, check out our other resources for school psychologists and
  educational professionals on topics like helping students with
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/gaming-addiction-resources-for-educational-professionals?"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >gaming addiction</a
  >,
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-to-help-students-when-anxiety-strikes?"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >anxiety</a
  >, and
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/trauma-informed-practices?"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >trauma</a
  >.
</p>
<p>
  Find your next career adventure as
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    ><strong>a school psychologist</strong></a
  >
  today.
</p>


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Protective Factors and Risk Factors Associated with Depression Among Youth

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